Life Science and Healthcare Training Grant

We are excited to announce that the Town of Burlington and the Town of Bedford received a $321,578 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to create a dedicated job training program for healthcare and life sciences. In partnership with MassHire, the program will offer subsidized education and training for low to moderate income residents of Burlington and Bedford who want to take existing courses to prepare for new careers in healthcare and life sciences. The proposed program would invest in our residents, expand our regional workforce, and strengthen the state’s healthcare and life science cluster.

Town Manager Sarah Stanton appreciates the important work of life sciences and healthcare companies in Bedford, stating, “Bedford companies are involved in the pipeline of products and services that directly help with COVID-19 efforts and as such, they have seen a rising demand for additional workers. This was a great opportunity to partner with Burlington on a program that can help residents and businesses in both towns and build on the growing life science cluster here.”

As the program is rolled out, the communities will reach out to residents on program details and application process.

For more information, please see this press release from the Baker-Polito Administration: https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-announces-20-million-to-support-vital-social-services-small .

Extension of Moratorium on Evictions and Foreclosures

Governor Baker  extended the pause on evictions and foreclosures for 60 days , until October 17, 2020, through the authority granted to the governor by Chapter 65 of the Acts of 2020, An Act providing for a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures during the COVID-19 Emergency, which was signed into law on April 20, 2020. 

Small business and residential tenants are strongly encouraged to continue to pay rent, and homeowners to make their mortgage payments, to the extent they are able. To assist low-income households in making rent and mortgage payments, as well as to support landlords needing these rent payments to pay expenses, the   Baker-Polito Administration launched a new $20 million, statewide fund , the Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance (ERMA) program, on July 1st.

Governor Signs To-Go Cocktail Bill

On Monday, Governor Baker signed a bill that will allow Bedford restaurants with all-alcohol licenses to sell sealed containers of mixed drinks with delivery or takeout food orders.  This law follows a law signed in April which allows restaurants to sell beer and wine with takeout or delivery. Mixed drinks must be sold in sealed containers and customers will be limited to 64 ounces of mixed drinks per transaction. Read the law here.

Streamlined Permitting Expands Outdoor Dining in Bedford

The Town of Bedford continues to provide small business support for restaurants to offer expanded outdoor dining options through a streamlined permitting process and logistical support. So far, the Town has provided temporary outdoor dining permits for Red Heat Tavern, Ken’s NY Deli, Minuteman Diner, Melting Pot, Flatbread Pizza and, most recently, Barrelhouse Z, for a new outdoor beer garden !



Residents and area employees can view the latest restaurant offerings, including outdoor dining, at the Bedford Take Out website at www.bedfordtakeout.com

Online Permitting Now Available!

The Bedford Code Enforcement Office is happy to announce that you can now apply for permits online using Permit Eyes permitting software. You can access the online platform for building permits at https://www.bedfordma.gov/code-enforcement/pages/online-permitting.

The new online permitting has streamlined the process for applicants, provided a contactless option for filing permits, as well as helped to reduce paper waste. If you have any questions on using the new system, please feel free to call the Code Enforcement Office at (781) 275-7446.